Bangkok Photography Workshop

Explore Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, in all its hectic, noisy, beautiful, historic, and exotic glory. With its obvious gap between rich and poor, you either hate Bangkok – or you absolutely love it.

This Master Class Bangkok photography workshop tour with James Nachtwey, one of the greatest and most important reportage photographers of our time, is based on Bangkok’s diversity. James Nachtwey and Better Moments want to give you the opportunity to discover the turbulent city with your camera, to see behind the curtain and get to its very core.

James Nachtwey will divide the workshop guests into small groups based on their personal photographic style and interests. Each group will get their own photo assignment to work on. The participants are expected to produce a photographic essay as if working on an assignment for a major magazine like National Geographic or a newspaper like The New York Times. The assignments are based on James’ profound experience and the unique circumstances of Bangkok. Together with James Nachtwey and our local photo guides, who usually work for international media such as CNN or The New York Times, you will be guided and supported during this one-of-a-kind photo adventure.

    Highlights

    • Explore Bangkok with acclaimed photojournalist James Nachtwey and local photo guides
    • Work in small groups to accomplish your own photo assignment
    • Morning and evening workshops with James Nachtwey and our local guides
    • 1-on-1 private portfolio review with James Nachtwey
    • Explore Bangkok’s many faces while working on your assignment
    • Meet the locals and learn about the Thai culture and traditions
Reserve Your Spot Today

Expert JAMES NACHTWEY

Better Moments Expert and award-winning war photographer James Nachtwey

More about James Nachtwey

James Nachtwey is an American photojournalist and war photographer. He has been awarded the Overseas Press Club’s Robert Capa Gold Medal five times and two World Press Photo awards.

Nachtwey has devoted himself to documenting wars, conflicts, and critical social issues. He has worked on extensive photographic essays all around the world.

Nachtwey has been a contract photographer with Time magazine since 1984. James was a member of Magnum from 1986 until 2001 and one of the founders of VII and a member from 2001 until 2008. He has had solo exhibitions in New York, Paris, Rome, and around the world.

EXPAND WITH PASSION

On Location

  • Teaching and training on the best techniques along with special tips and personalized advice.
  • Learn to create dramatic and interesting photographs using composition, perspective and focal points.
  • Learn how to use different exposure times and aperture settings in various light conditions.
  • How to handle equipment with care on location and prepare for going in the field.
  • Private hands-on lessons with James Nachtwey that will help you to take your photography skills to the next level, no matter your starting point.
  • How to comfortably approach people for street photography.
  • Discover secrets behind successful documentary photography.
  • How to use your camera as a tool for storytelling.

In Classroom

  • Daily reviews of the images you have taken throughout the day with constructive criticism to help you improve your skill-set.
  • Morning and evening workshops with James Nachtwey and our local photo guides
  • Digital workflow
  • How to create a visual narrative that can be used in a book, magazine or exhibition.
  • Private 1-on-1 portfolio review

ITINERARY

DAY 0: ARRIVAL IN BANGKOK

We recommend you to arrive one day earlier to get over your jetlag and adjust to the local climate and get the first feeling of the country. If you arrive one day earlier, you can use the day to relax or explore Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. If you wish, Better Moments can help you with booking a hotel and local excursions.

Bangkok's illuminated skyscrapers

DAY 1: MEET JAMES NACHTWEY

The workshop starts today at 18:00. You will meet workshop leader James Nachtwey and the other guests for a tasteful welcome dinner. Afterwards, you will be introduced to our local photo guides and James will hold a presentation about Bangkok and explain more about the coming days and the workshop in general.You will learn about the tasks James wants the groups to solve during the workshop and which tools and working methods he recommends using.

DAY 2: ON ASSIGNMENT

Morning workshop with James Nachtwey. Here, you will be divided into small groups and given our first photo assignment.

Now you have time together with your group to define the task and to discuss how you want to solve and frame your story. James Nachtwey, the local guides and Better Moments’ assistant will support and guide you during this process.

When your group is ready to get started, you will leave with your guide who is also your interpreter. James Nachtwey will rotate between the groups in order to support each team with his his personal advice on how to solve the assignment.

In the evening, we will meet for dinner and review the images you have taken during the day and discus your assignments and the progress you have made today.

James Nachtwey will give a lecture about the most iconic images throughout he has taken throughout his career.

A woman is selling fresh fish and vegetables from her tiny stallA row of tuktuk is waiting for passengers udnerneath the city's neon signs

DAY 3-4: WORK ON YOUR STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Day 3 and 4 are framed by morning and evening workshops where we will discuss your projects. James will advise if you are on the right track. We will also review the images the groups have taken so far to talk about them in depth.

If you and your group prefer to go out and work on your project, you are of course welcome to do so.

During both days, private portfolio reviews will be conducted by James Nachtwey. Here, you can show a selection of your best photos, and you will have the opportunity to talk privately and openly about your photographic ambitions. James will share his advice with you point out possibilities to improve your photography.

In the evenings, we will have dinner together at the hotel.
Afterwards, James will share more of his images from all around the world.

A monk in a yellow robe walks to his trainThree Thai with tatooes on their back walk through an alley way

DAY 5: TIME FOR NEW OUTINGS

Today we will explore the more popular sides of Bangkok. Our task is to find new and exciting angles of the city – just as if you were on a photo assignment for a magazine like National Geographic.

If you like, you can take a private longboat and capture Bangkok from the sea. In any case, James Nachtwey and your private guide will help you organize your day and tell you how to navigate the many streets and channels.

We will mix up the groups so you will have the chance to both be inspired and challenged by more of your fellow travelers.

After an eventful day, we will meet for dinner in the evening.

Soft light falls upon one of Bangkok's waterwaysA massive concrete pillar wrapped in green leaves

DAY 6: ON YOUR OWN

After breakfast, you will be given a task that you have to solve within a day. You can either do this by yourself or together with one of the other workshop participants.

We will meet for dinner at the hotel in the evening and discuss the tasks afterwards.

A man is waiting for his food order in one of the many street kitchensA tuktuk coming at the viewer at full speed

DAY 7: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

Today you will have ample time to prepare the presentation of your respective projects. In the afternoon, each participant will present his/her project to James and the group. James will provide feedback on the results and the group is more than welcome to join the conversation.After dinner, we will celebrate this exciting week and our hard work with a farewell dinner.

Lightning illuminates Bangkok during a thunderstorm

DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Time to say goodbye. Today we all fly back home.

Get Inspiration

Enjoy our workshop catalog with stunning photos by James Nachtwey

Read the Catalogue Here
Including workshop intinerary, expert interview, quick tips and equipment list

TRAVEL FACTS

Thanks for choosing Better Moments for your workshop.

Facts

  • 12-19 March 2022
  • 8 Days
  • Number of guests: 8-12
Included
  • Local transport (excl. group assignment days)
  • Accommodation
  • All meals
Not included
  • Travel to and from the workshop destination
  • Visa and taxes
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Local transport on group assignment days


Meet Ben

Do you have any questions about the workshop? Or would you like to go on a private customized tour? Send Ben an email.

Send Email

Price

    • € 5,450 in single room.
    • € 5,150 in shared double room.
    • Groups sign-up a group of 4+ participants and receive a group discount.
    • All prices are per person.

 

    • Better Moments is a member of the Travel Guarantee Fund, your guarantee that traveling with Better Moments is a safe experience.

 

We don’t want you to worry about losing money on your workshop booking. Therefore, you will receive a 100% refund of the workshop price – including your deposit – if we have to cancel any of our workshops due to coronavirus.

Overview

Better Moments - Map Bangkok workshop

QUICK GUIDE GETTING THERE

GETTING THERE

All international flights arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as Bangkok Airport.

VISA

All visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, and all visitors will need a visa. Some nationalities can get a VISA on arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, but others must have one on arrival. Therefore, contact your local Thai Embassy.

WEATHER

In the capital, Bangkok, the climate is hot all year round. Between mid-November and January, the weather is good, usually with clear skies. Highs are around 30/32 °C (86/90 °F) and lows around 20/22 °C (68/72 °F), so it’s hot, even though it’s winter. In February, temperatures start to rise; the weather remains sunny, although occasionally a few short thunderstorms can develop.

LANGUAGE

Thai is the official language of Thailand. English is the secondary language taught and in touristy areas most Thai speak at least basic English.

CURRENCY

Thailand’s monetary unit is the That Baht (THB)

QUICK GUIDE
Bangkok is a fascinating, exciting and incredible capital that never goes to sleep. There are many sights to visit, here is a selection:

  • Wat Pho, is the home to the Reclining Buddha which stands at fifteen metres tall and forty six metres long, the feet alone are measured at over five meters.
  • The Grand Palace at one time was the king’s home as well as the place where the government of Thailand carried out their work.
  • Jump aboard one of the sky trains. With air conditioned carriages there is no better way to get around.
  • Chatuchak Market, with over 8000 stalls covering 27 acres of space, is one of the largest markets in the world. Open every Saturday and Sunday.
  • The Bangkok National Museum is home to the largest collection of artifacts and Thai art in all of Thailand.
  • Thompson House is a great place to learn about the history behind this craft and the history of Jim Thompson himself.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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Frequently Asked Questions
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